Free Bible Commentary
“Revelation 3:14-22”
Categories: Revelation“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
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Jesus Christ is “The Amen” (verse 14). He is the Truth and He is always true. His very name guarantees that everything He says is factual, dependable, guaranteed. He is “the faithful and true Witness.” Any praise or condemnation that He offers to any individual or congregation is completely unassailable because He has firsthand, eyewitness knowledge of everything that happens, every word spoken, every thought contemplated. And Jesus had nothing but condemnation to bring against the church at Laodicea. Jesus is “the Beginning of the creation of God.” The Lord in no way implies that He is a created being, but that He is the “source” of all things that have been created (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17).
Originally built as a military outpost on an important trade route, Laodicea came to be an extremely prosperous, wealthy city and renowned banking center in the days of the Roman Empire. It was famous for its eye salve that was developed by a nearby, celebrated medical school, and for a unique breed of sheep with silky, black wool that helped make it a leader in the garment industry. The city was so wealthy that when it was flattened in 60 A.D. by a massive earthquake, it refused financial assistance from the capital in Rome. Laodicea boasted a fiercely independent and self-reliant population, and it is obvious that the hubris of the local culture infiltrated the mindset of the local congregation.
The one major disadvantage for Laodicea was its lack of a high-quality water source, so they drew upon a hot springs located to the south of the city. “The water would have been lukewarm, even after flowing several miles…. In contrast, only a few miles away, Colossae had a good supply of refreshing cold water, and Hieropolis prized its hot spring water which helped to administer healing to the ailing. With all its prosperity, Laodicea could provide only tepid water. The church likewise rendered neither refreshment for the weary nor healing for the spiritually sick. It had become ineffective because of its inability to produce spiritual fruit.” (Harkrider)
The deeds of the Laodicean church were “neither cold nor hot” (verse 15). The halfhearted “faith” of these smug and blinded brethren was nauseating to Jesus, and because they were “lukewarm,” He was ready to “spit” or “vomit” them out of His mouth (verse 16). If they had been never awakened spiritually and converted (cold) then the Lord would have been more patient and understanding, and His word could have pierced their hearts. If they had been zealous and fervent in their faith and love for Him He would have heaped the highest praises upon them. But since they arrogantly trusted in their material wealth and viewed themselves as needing none of the “riches” that God alone could provide for them (lukewarm), they were just about at the point of the Lord’s total rejection.
“Christians are lulled to sleep when they trust in material prosperity, outward luxury, and physical health (Luke 8:13-14). Nothing can be done with the lukewarm, for they are satisfied” (Harkrider) The Lord reproves and disciplines those whom He loves (verse 19; Hebrews 12:5-10), and His sharp rebuke still held out a little hope for these lukewarm brethren, but things looked bleak. Therefore, we must be careful to not deceive ourselves into thinking we can do just barely enough in the kingdom to get by. God’s people must be fully committed to and invested in His word, work and worship if we desire to please Him. If we desire to satisfy our Master we cannot be satisfied with a “bare minimum” approach to faith. To “buy…gold refined by fire…white garments, and…eye salve” (verse 18) is to do whatever it takes to possess the spiritual riches that are cherished and treasured by the Lord (Proverbs 23:23; Matthew 13:44-45).
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (verse 20). Jesus does not just stand idly by and watch His people flounder. He actively seeks our love and faith and repentance (verse 19). He pleads with us through His word, He appeals to us through our brethren, He petitions us through our conscience. Open the door of your heart to Him and welcome Him in. He wants you to “dine” with Him, commune Him, “reign” with Him.
Please read Revelation 4:1-11 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
-Louie Taylor
